Waiver Wire: Week 4

Welcome to week 4! This week and every week going forward we’ll bring you several recommendations for players you should add to your fantasy squad. We’ll mainly be targeting lower-owned guys who should be available in all but the deepest leagues. New for this year, we’re also going to give you some IDP suggestions as well. Although we’ll primarily be focusing on guys who can help you this week and the rest of this season, as a primary dynasty site, on occasion we will mention guys that you should consider stashing as long-term dynasty options as well.

Good luck on your waiver claims and good luck the rest of the season. Hopefully, some of these players can not only lead you to a win this week but a championship and the end of the season! Be sure to check out all of our in-season content righthere.

Melvin Gordon was limited in practice most of the week and although he got the start on Sunday, he eventually missed time during the game due to whatever is ailing his knee. Branden Oliver came in and although he didn’t set the world on fire, he is the clear #2 in Los Angeles. Should Gordon miss time, Oliver will be leaned on heavily, and he’s performed well in the starting role in the past when Gordon has missed time.

Wendell Smallwood, RB, Philadelphia Eagles 2% owned

One of my personal favorites for more reasons than I could ever list here, Smallwood finally saw an increase in his workload after an entire offseason of hype from his coaching staff. He had just as many carries as LeGarrette Blount (12) and led the team in rushing yards with 71 yards. With season-ending injuries to both Darren Sproles and Donnel Pumphrey, the workload in the passing game should shift Smallwood’s way as well. This has potential to be a league winning move.

Alex Collins, RB, Baltimore Ravens .2% owned

Collins has shown flashes at times when he was with the Seahawks, although he’s not elite by any stretch of the imagination. However, as injuries pile up and depth charts dwindle while bye weeks loom on the horizon, Collins can help you out in a pinch. He led the Ravens in carries and yards in a complete blowout, but he certainly showed enough to get more work going forward and is he really any worse than West or Allen?

Geronimo Allison, WR, Green Bay Packers .4% owned

I’ve had Allison stashed away on several of my deeper dynasty rosters since early last season and it just might start to pay dividends. Going back to late last season he has established himself as the clear #4 in Green Bay, and should the big 3 get hurt (which has happened with more and more frequency over the last few seasons) Allison has built up a decent rapport with Aaron Rodgers and can deliver as shown by his 6 catch, 122-yard performance on Sunday.

Brown doesn’t have much to point to NFL or fantasy success. Athletically he’s below average, his college production is kind of sad. His pro production is virtually non-existent as of yet. What he might have though is an opportunity. Samaje Perine was given the start Sunday night with Rob Kelley injured. Perine was ineffective, managing 19 carries for 49 yards for a subpar 2.6 yards per carry. Perine also fumbled, which you may recall has been on ongoing issue for him. Then he had to leave the game with an injured hand. Perine may have played himself out of any role going forward this season with Washington.

The next man up would be Mack Brown, the 2nd year undrafted free agent out of Florida. Rob Kelley is battling a rib injury, and anyone that has dealt with a rib injury can tell how hard is to determine when those will heal. Brown averaged 4.5 yards per carry on Sunday night on 6 carries for 27 yards. Last pre-season Mack was attracting a bit of buzz in dynasty leagues as a deep stash, now may be the time that stash pays off.

Ryan Griffin, TE, Houston Texans .07% owned

Even though he’s been overshadowed by C.J. Fiedorowicz’s breakout season last year, Griffin quietly had a productive season himself with 50 receptions on 74 targets, for 442 yards. Sunday against the Patriots, Griffin converted 5 of 6 targets into 61 yards and a touchdown, good enough for TE4 this week. The 6’6” Griffin makes for a giant goal line target. Through one game as the starting TE, Deshaun Watson has already shown he will target Griffin. As spotty as TE play is throughout the league, I’ll be putting down a good amount of FAAB on Griffin this week.

Wayne Gallman, RB, New York Giants .02% owned

I can’t pretend to know if Wayne Gallman is really any good. His athletic measurements and college production are not impressive. What I can say with absolute certainty is that Paul Perkins and Orleans Darkwa are terrible. Just in case you don’t believe me, here’s someone who’s much smarter bringing you some additional evidence of how terrible Perkins is at the sport of football.

Paul Perkins has been brought down by first contact 88% of the time. This ranks worst among all running backs with at least 20 carries.

Will Devin Funchess finally be a thing? It could happen now that Kelvin Benjamin went down with a knee injury vs the Saints. As of this writing, Benjamin’s injury isn’t serious, however, he could miss this week’s game as a precaution. Enter: Devin Funchess. Funchess was already looking at more targets with Olsen on the IR, but if KB misses any time, McCaffery, Funchess and Russell Shepard are the last men standing. Also, evident by his weekly target increase (see below), he could become a ball hog if called upon.

Week 1 – 2 targets

Week 2 – 7 targets

Week 3 – 10 targets

This add isn’t for the faint of heart or shallow leagues, rather deep leagues, preferably 14+ or teams deficient in WRs.

Paul Richardson, WR, Seattle Seahawks, 3% ownership

It’s still shocking to me that Richardson is not owned in more leagues. Being opposite of Doug Baldwin opens up a nice playing field, which produces a nice fantasy return. Speaking of Baldwin, he suffered a groin strain against the Titans on Sunday, and although I can see him resting during the week and suiting up in week 4, Richardson should be picked up for a dream matchup vs Indy. Not to mention Richardson has caught touchdowns in back to back weeks! Look for Russ to get PR involved immediately in week 4. Richardson offers immediate HIGH upside if Baldwin were to miss any time.

D’Onta Foreman, RB, Houston Texans, 5% ownership

We all know Lamar Miller isn’t losing the starting role anytime soon, however, Foreman has been cutting more into his work as the week’s go on. See weeks 1-3 breakdown below vs Miller.

Week 1 – 1 carry to Miller’s 17

Week 2 – 12 carries to Miller’s 18

Week 3 – 8 carries to Miller’s 14

Foreman runs hard and also is involved in the passing game (2/65 on 3 targets in week 3). He isn’t a starter but could be a nice FLEX during bye weeks as well as a stash in case of a Miller injury or trade bait for the Miller owner wanting that handcuff.

Evan Engram, TE, New York Giants, 18% ownership

Don’t go chasing Marcedes Lewis after his crazy performance vs the Ravens. On that note, the Ravens are abysmal vs the TE so stream if you need to (Jesse James is next). Rather, get on the consistency train with Evan Engram. EE has an almost identical fantasy line from wks 1-3 (see below).

Week 1 – 4/44

Week 2 – 4/49/1

Week 3 – 5/45

These numbers aren’t that sexy but in PPR leagues you can expect a floor of 8pts, which, dare I say, isn’t bad if you don’t own an elite TE. Engram is a physical beast and is still learning the game but, in this offense, he will be utilized and once more comfortable with the system, a big RZ target. Add as a good streamer, TE injury replacement or TE depth.

Zach Cunningham, LB, Houston Texans 0% ownershipIn deeper dynasty leagues he is most likely on a roster. In shallow leagues he is sitting on your waiver wire and needs to be owned. He is the long-term solution. Against the Pats last week his speed brought some nice stops. The role will grow and this might be your last chance to acquire him cheap. Stephon Gilmore, CB, New England Patriots 0% ownership

If I was building a real NFL franchise I would not want to have Gilmore on my team. He gives up big plays and gets lost at times. In fantasy, we want the corners who get targets often. The ball has come his way often and he is making tackles and scoring weekly in leagues. If you’re looking ahead at bye weeks or need some depth he is widely available. Chris Jones, DL, Kansas City Chiefs 25% ownership

I was enjoying his game last year and have been pleased with his start this year. Blowing up week 2 and then week 3 nailing a few tackles he is worth a waiver claim. Injuries piling up and in need of bodies? He is your guy. Mario Edwards, Oakland Raiders, DL 25% ownership

I was surprised to see his MFL ownership so low. 1/2 sack week one and 1.5 in week two, he has shown us all he can get to pay dirt. I try to always have extra starters ready to go and so should you. In 14 team leagues, you need to go out and get this guy. Josh Jones, Green Bay Packers, S. 0% ownership

This is a player who had my attention this offseason. With a big week 3 game, it looks like the coaches are putting even more trust in him in their game plan. You might have some competition on this claim so if you really need that help at Safety, I’d go an extra dollar if you use bidding money.